We have had many requests to hold a more “substantial” group ride than our 1st Saturday Social Rides (which are always 1.5 hours, at the pace of the slowest riders, so usually less than 10 miles).  So last year we were very pleased to meet local urban archaeologist Roy Larick, who wanted our help to present cycling versions of his Bluestone Heights walking tours of culverted local streams. We did two of those last year — on Sundays, with more time to cover longer distances, still at a very relaxed pace. They were a fun way to look at the urban landscape, and very popular.

So this year we were extremely pleased to obtain a sponsorship from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District to present a series of four of these special tours, again with Roy narrating, and expand our opportunities to “help people use bikes“.

These watershed tours are fully supported, with League-certified Instructors leading small groups on open roads and multi-user paths — and occasional trails and open fields — to stay as close as possible to the original stream course, making several stops to visit points of historical, geological and cultural interest with brief interpretation by Roy Larick and other local experts. These are family friendly rides of ~25 miles with food, mechanical assistance, and SAG service. A recommended $10 donation funds OCBC’s local non-profit cycling education programs. Helmets are required, and available for sale or loan at the start. $10 rental bikes are available by reservation.

The next ride will visit the Big Creek in the Brooklyn neighborhood on Sunday August 26th, gathering from 11am at Ohio City Bicycle Co-op, departing at noon in small groups about 3 minutes apart. The route is about 25 miles, with four, ~100 ft. climbs out of the Flats — and some gravel and grass sections, so wide tires are suggested.

There will also be an alternate start for this ride, gathering at 1pm at  John M. Coyne Recreation Center, 7600 Memphis Ave, Brooklyn, OH 44144 for a shorter (6.3 miles) with very little elevation changes (but still some gravel and grass sections, so wide tires are still suggested).

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